This is the earliest known photograph of the
Anamosa Penitentiary. Taken around 1875, the view looks south.
Construction of the now-familiar cellhouse facing High Street has
not yet begun. The original board stockade fence is plainly
visible (center left), but wall construction has started (left of
building).

1874 - Started construction of first cellhouse on 5/8/1874, it
was under roof by 1/1/1875, and was 50ft by 120ft. It was two
stories high, with a basement. It contained 72 cells, each
constructed of 6 inch flagstone, each stone securely dovetailed
together. The cells measured four feet, 6 inches wide, seven feet
six inches in height, and eight feet in length. The steel doors
had been purchased in 1872, and were later moved to the south
cellhouse, the first large cellhouse, which was finished in 1881.
At that time, the 72 cells were apparently removed, and the
building continued to be used for the kitchen, dining hall,
library, chapel, storage, and offices. The building burned in the
1896 fire, and was later rebuilt as the power plant and
"Shop #1."